Google rules… Whether you like it or not. Be discoverable.
People turn online multiple times a day to find information to make their lives easier. As the main search engine to help you find what you need, Google has developed a way for businesses to stand out: Google My Business. Whether through a search result or a maps query, over five billion searches are made each day through Google.
Benefit #1: Show Up in Google Maps Searches
Next to online reviews, the second most important factor that consumers take into consideration when searching for a local business is proximity to their location. While a quick Google search is certainly effective for narrowing the down the options—especially those on a smartphone—most consumers use Google Maps to locate businesses nearby.
Google Maps will quickly populate with dozens of red markers, each indicating a local business that meets your search criteria. By simply creating a Google My Business listing and completing the verification steps, your business location will start to pop up for local searches as well. This is a great benefit that allows users to instantly see how close you are to their location, increasing the likelihood that they’ll pay you a visit.
Benefit #2: Show Up In Google’s Local Pack
What most businesses don’t know is, by simply creating a free Google My Business listing, you can greatly increase your odds of making it onto this highly sought after list. The best part about being in the local 3-pack, you ask? Not only do these listings show users where your business is located on Google Maps, but they also show up BEFORE organic results—offering a major benefit to your visibility. Businesses that show up on Google’s local 3-pack get a whopping 700% boost in clicks over those that don’t.
Benefit #3: Earn Trust From Customers
For customers, one of the biggest hurdles they have to face is that of building enough trust to confidently make a purchase. As a business owner, your job is to help them make that jump as easily as possible. To do this, one of the simplest steps you can take is that of helping potential customers see that your business has an actual location.
Benefit #4: Star Ratings Boost Your Appeal
Few factors can influence a potential customer’s purchase decision as much as online reviews. As a consumer, think about the last time you were buying something online. Did you go with the product that had the highest reviews, or the lowest?
Benefit #5: Increase Traffic and Sales
Just by having a listing and showing up in local searches, Google has found that businesses are as much as 70% more likely to attract location visits from browsing potentials. An even more impressive figure revealed that customers who find a brand through their Google My Business listing are up to 50% more likely to make a purchase.
Benefit #6: Increase Engagement
Google My Business profiles provide ample opportunities for engagement. Potential customers can access your website or call you in one tap or click. Even more beneficial is the ability to reserve a table or book an appointment directly through your listing.
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